ObjectivesThe objective of the project is to respond to the plastics sector specific labor market needs by designing, piloting and implementing an innovative vocational training program (including Teacher’s Book, Student’s Book and digital training material) for plastics machine operators with specific emphasis on digital and green skills, entrepreneurial competences. Great effort was made towards implementation of the main objective in the first year. ActivitiesFirstly, the situation in plastic processing sector in Europe was researched. The Qualifications & Curriculum Research was performed to analyze vocational training legislation applied in Europe, overview qualifications framework, compare and analyze occupation profile and existing curriculum for plastic processing, and to conduct a survey of business companies in Lithuania, Finland, France, Belgium.Secondly, following the conclusions of the Qualifications & Curriculum Research, there was developed EQF-Based VET Model Curriculum (Vocational Education and Training Program) for Plastics Production Line Conductor. This program was developed jointly by vocational education training centers of Lithuania, France, Finland and approved by the Project’s Steering Committee in the first year. In addition, the Model VET Curriculum was translated into national languages and adopted to the industry needs and legal environment of each three countries (LT, FR, FI).At the same time, there were held two Study Visits to Tampere Vocational College (Finland) and Alencon Institute of Plastics and Composites (France) to share experience and get acquainted with the equipment used in the training process. The Study Visits were very helpful while developing the EQF-Based VET Model Curriculum.ImpactThe results of the Qualifications & Curriculum Research were used for development of the EQF-Based VET Model Curriculum. The Curriculum was translated to the national languages (LT, FI, FR). For now, it is still difficult to measure the real impact, but it is planned that the translated Vocational Education and Training Programs will be further developed, adapted and approved by the state qualification institutions and will be used in all three countries (Lithuania, Finland, France) as state programs to train plastics machine line conductors. Furthermore, there will be produced a full scope innovative up -to-date training material (EQF-Based VET Model Curriculum, Teacher’s Book, Student’s book), which will be available for all the EU countries.
1.Performed analysis and identification of qualifications and European VET curricula of plastics machine operators based on the current and future skills demand in the plastics industry. The results provided in the Report. 2.Developed adaptive EQF-Based Model VET Curriculum for Plastics Production Line Conductor and training material with a strong presence of technical and practical skills in order to accommodate contents to the new digital era and respond changing skills needs.
The European plastics industry is facing a critical challenge – the skilled work force. The aim of the project was to respond to the plastics sector-specific labor market needs by designing, piloting and implementing an innovative WBL vocational training program and developing training material (Student's Book and Teacher's Book) for plastics machine operators with specific emphasis on digital and green skills, and entrepreneurial competencies.
<< Background >> The European plastics industry is facing a critical challenge – the skilled work force. The aim of the project was to respond to the plastics sector-specific labor market needs by designing, piloting and implementing an innovative WBL vocational training program and developing training material (Student's Book and Teacher's Book) for plastics machine operators with specific emphasis on digital and green skills, and entrepreneurial competencies. << Objectives >> 1.Performed analysis and identification of qualifications and European VET curricula of plastics machine operators based on the current and future skills demand in the plastics industry. The results provided in the Report. 2.Developed adaptive EQF-Based Model VET Curriculum for Plastics Production Line Conductor and training material with a strong presence of technical and practical skills in order to accommodate contents to the new digital era and respond changing skills needs. << Implementation >> Coordinated by LINPRA, the key representative of the Lithuanian manufacturing companies, in partnership with 8 partners from Belgium, France, Finland and Lithuania, the project achieved an appropriate match between skills and labor market needs. Periods of work-based learning, development of entrepreneurial mind-sets, enhancement of technology and digital skills, Lean manufacturing tools, knowledge on circular economy were integrated into an outcome-oriented VET curriculum, applying ECVET. << Results >> The main results delivered in the project are:1.Qualifications & Curricula Research Report (EN)2.Innovative EQF-based model VET curriculum (EN)3.Country-specific VET curriculum4.Student’s Book (EN, FR, FI, LT)5.Teacher’s Book (EN, FR, FI, LT)6.Digital training material (on VET schools e-learning platforms) (EN, FR, FI, LT)7.Project Website (EN, FR, FI, LT)8. Piloting (150 learners and 32 teachers trained)9.Final online Conference (recording:https://youtu.be/pWBjQy40rpM)